THANKS, TWILIGHT!

Crowds were gathered all up and down Mane Street for the momentous occasion occurring on this day. The town had finally finished reconstruction after the disastrous events of the previous month, and it got a few new additions, as well. Ponies were all lined up for something they had all been waiting for since the last decade. Finally, once and for all, earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi all over Ponyville could do convenience shopping at an affordable and competitive price.

“That's right, Tom, a new Wal-Mart has just opened up in our fine town,” said the field reporter whose name was probably some sort of a pun on his profession. “Ponies have gathered from the farthest reaches of Ponyville to do their shopping at an establishment which claims, 'always low prices'. Among those who have arrived to get great deals on groceries, clothing, and work supplies is recently crowned Princess Twilight Sparkle. Hello there, Ms. Sparkle.”

The lavender alicorn was surprised that she had been approached, but nonetheless smiled and nodded. She turned her attention back towards the line.

“Yes Tom, even royalty is showing up at the new Wal-Mart. But the question remains; are the prices really what they're cracked up to be? Ms. Sparkle, what do you think about this claim?”

Twilight was again surprised. “Well, um, I don't know what to think. I won't pass judgment until I see the prices myself.”

The reporter nodded. “Tell us, Ms. Sparkle, how does it feel knowing you are entirely responsible for the economic downturn faced by this nation?”

This confused Twilight. “Uh, I, what?”

“Oh, you know, businesses are closing, houses are being foreclosed, ponies can't find jobs.”

“Well, these are all very unfortunate happenings, and it is true that times are tough, but-”

“Is it also true that you are a lizard, as some ponies say?”

Twilight didn't know how to respond to that. “...what?!”

“Or are you a Muslim? Ponies are also saying that as well. Tell me, are you affiliated with the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda?”

Twilight was sounding a little frustrated now. “Listen, I'm not entirely sure what all of this has to do with Wal-Mart's low prices, so can we-”

“What's your stance on abortion? Fox News is telling us you intend to kill babies.”

“First of all, I think a mare should have the right to choose what happens to their body. This includes what to do if they have an unplanned pregnancy. I believe they should have the choice. Second of all, why-”

“You heard it here first, folks. Twilight Sparkle condones the killing of fetuses.”

Twilight was beyond irritated, now. “What? That's not at all what I said! I'm just saying, a mare should have the choice to abort a foal should she be unable to care for it, or if carrying the baby to term could endanger the mother's life, or in cases of rape and incest. At no point did I say we should start needlessly killing fetus-”

The reporter didn't stop. “Do you know how many teenage stallions jack off to pictures of you?”

“Excuse me?!”

“What is your stance on homosexuality?”

“It's none of my business!”

“Is it true that the ESA is spying on our telecommunications?”

“Well-”

“What do you intend to do about the FCC's recent ruling on Net Neutrality?”

“I-”

“Is it true that you smoke marijuana?”

“One time! It was one time in high school, and I never touched the stuff again!”

The reporter was relentless. Question after question, he continuously scrutinized the poor lavender mare. Finally, she had enough.

“SHUT UP! SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP! For the love of Celestia, can you stop talking for three goddamned seconds? Jeez!” The mare practically exploded. She ran off, leaving the shocked reporter to stand alone.

“Tom, this is a very confused reporter, wondering what exactly he did wrong." The reporter was silent for a few minutes. "Now, about those low, low prices at the new Wal-Mart! Tom, I'm getting reports that the Target in Appaloosa is claiming to match any prices that may be lower at Wal-Mart, clearly we're seeing some competition here Tom. I will keep you updated."

Back at the news station, Tom nodded to his reporter.

"Thanks for keeping us updated, and thank you for capturing the princess's temper tantrum live. This is Tom Hiddleston for NBC Canterlot, signing off."

Twilight ran home. She ran all the way to the crystal castle which she now resided in, opened the door, ran all the way up like five flights of stairs, opened the door to her bedroom, and collapsed on her bed. Her tantrum was probably all over the news, now. She hoped to Celestia that none of her friends saw it, but she knew this was just wishful thinking. Right now, she just wanted to stop existing. Since the incident with Tirek, Twilight had been hounded nonstop by the press, all of whom were blaming her and her alone for the economic depression that Equestria was in. This incident was not the first incident, and it most certainly will not be the last.

Pulling out her new smartphone (which she was also criticized for owning, as it had recently surfaced that the product was produced using slave labor in impoverished countries), she checked social media websites. Sure enough, everypony was already talking about her tantrum and claiming she was an unfit leader. Conspiracy theorists were even talking about how she intended to turn Equestria into a communist regime. Locking her phone and placing it on her nightstand, she groaned in frustration and plopped her face onto her pillow. After several minutes, slumber took the princess. But the scrutiny did not leave her. For in her dreams - her nightmares, more like - the press was with her, as well. She would never be at peace, it seemed. When she wanted more responsibility, she didn't mean this.